At Wimbledon: The Grass Is Always Browner

Lush green grass is as much a part of Wimbledon as the strawberries and cream or the insanely strict dress code. Except by the tournament’s second week, the grass seldom looks lush. Or green.

The surface takes such a beating around the baseline that by the time the tournament reaches the semifinals the players appear to be playing on the infield of Candlestick Park. As serve-and-volley has declined and rallies have grown longer, the grass has been punished by even more footsteps. This year in particular has been tough for maintenance as London has experienced record temperatures and a lack of rain.